A US woman who shot and killed her husband and two adult children before taking her own life is thought to have committed the shocking crime as a result of being ostracised from the religion she was raised in.

A federal judge sentenced a former Arkansas judge Wednesday to five years in prison — a stiffer punishment than prosecutors recommended — after he admitted giving young male defendants lighter sentences in return for personal benefits that included sexual favours.

Every time I tell a mate I’m doing a story on cryptocurrency, they invariably ask me the same two questions: should they invest their own hard-earned money, and which cryptocurrency will get them a Lamborghini/yacht/island quickest?

In a 60 Minutes online exclusive, reporter Liz Hayes quizzed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his relationship with the unpredictable Twitter aficionado and US president Donald Trump ahead of their meeting at the White House Friday.

Female teacher in court over sex with boy

A Perth schoolteacher has appeared in court accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old former pupil.

Shyamala Palihakkara, 35, appeared briefly in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with five counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16, and three counts of indecent dealing with a child under 16.

The offences allegedly occurred in 2008, when she developed a friendship with the boy, then 13, who was a student at a school east of Perth.

Child Abuse Squad detectives will allege the friendship continued via phone and email after the boy moved schools the following year.

The contact took on a sexual nature and a physical relationship started in 2009, police will allege.

Chief Magistrate Stephen Heath was told the charges would have to be dealt with in the District Court.